In reaction to trending social media outcries, a new Men to Watch Award Program is being launched this year by several state CPA societies. The formerly dormant Men’s Initiatives Executive Committee (MIEC) has just announced the MTW Program and nomination criteria, with the goal of honoring outstanding men in the profession.

“It’s about time that we recognized the men in this industry for many hours of long labor and commitment to the industry since its formative years” said Jerry Calcuman, managing partner at local firm in Colorado and chairman of the MIEC.

Criteria for the award include:

Ranking in the office March Madness pool

Chargeable hours worked, plus hours “eaten” by the nominee

Community service*

Blood relation to an existing industry leader

Creation of a unique men’s initiative at their firm

*other than ordered by a judge

The Men to Watch awards will showcase the accomplishments of men in the profession, and demonstrate to rising male leaders that success is not out of reach. The events surrounding the award will vary, but have one thing in common: they provide a way for state societies to generate important conversations about the unique challenges their male members face.

A Men’s Initiatives Throwback Committee (MITC) is also being formed with the mission of: “Bringing back the good old days.” The committee will be supporting the following in-office initiatives as a part of their launch:

Bringing back the two martini lunch

Bi-weekly golfing with bankers in the afternoon

Smoking cigars in closed-door meetings

Millennial hazing

Men interested in being on the Throwback Committee or being nominated for the Men to Watch award should search for “men to watch,” as there is a volume of timely information available online.

We hope you’ll join in celebrating and supporting the Men to Watch in your state and at your firm.